Temperatures could reach up to 40C in London this week
Households across the UK have been urged to keep an eye out for 14 crucial symptoms this week, as temperatures rise across the country. The Met Office has issued Red Extreme Heat Warnings for London for Wednesday and Thursday, with temperatures set to exceed 38C.
The extremely rare Red Extreme Heat Warning will see affected areas “likely to see a two to three day period where maximum temperatures in the shade exceed 37 Celsius, perhaps rising to 38 to 40 Celsius in some places”, reports the Express. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also released a series of Yellow and Amber Heat Health Alerts, highlighting the potential health and social care impacts of the anticipated heat.
The health body has published detailed guidance on how to stay safe when temperatures soar, including awareness of eight common symptoms of heat exhaustion and six of heatstroke.
“Heat exhaustion occurs when the body overheats and cannot cool down,” the UKHSA guidance explains, adding that it “does not usually need emergency medical attention if you cool down within 30 minutes”. However, if steps are not taken to cool down, “heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke.”
Heat exhaustion
Common heat exhaustion symptoms include:
- tiredness
- weakness
- feeling faint
- headache
- muscle cramps
- feeling or being sick
- heavy sweating
- intense thirst
Heatstroke
Heatstroke is where the body isn’t able to cool down and your body temperature gets dangerously high, the public health body explains.
Common heatstroke symptoms include:
- confusion
- lack of co-ordination
- fast heartbeat
- fast breathing or shortness of breath
- hot skin that is not sweating
- seizures
“Heatstroke is a medical emergency,” the organisation warns. “If you think someone has heatstroke you should dial 999 and then try to cool them down.” UKHSA directs people to find out more about the symptoms of both heat exhaustion and heatstroke on the NHS website.
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